Archives for October 6, 2017

‘”I definitely heard it being pretty loud when I went out,” Pominville said. “That was a pretty cool moment, for sure. I didn’t really know what to expect from me getting booed when we had shootouts here when I was with Minnesota.’

‘There have been good moments in other Octobers too. But you throw in Thursday’s loss and the Sabres are 11-30-5 in October since 2013. Since 2010, they’re 20-41-7. And none of that includes the 3-6-1 start to the 2013 lockout season, which opened on Jan. 20.’

‘”I didn’t stop it. It hit the post,” Lehner immediately corrected. “You know it’s no secret. I struggled last year with it. I’m trying to move forward. It takes some guts to get out of this hole in the shootouts but you know what, I can’t pout about it. I’m working on it and obviously it’s not working yet, but hopefully it will come.’

‘Happy return: Aside from the expected roar for Jack Eichel, Pominville received the loudest ovation during pregame introductions. He gave the fans more reasons to cheer with the first goal of the season.’

‘But like so many times in recent seasons, the Sabres frittered away a third-period lead – “We just let our foot off the gas,” Eichel said – allowing Phillip Danault to score weak short-handed wraparound goal.’

‘Before the end of the frame, the Sabres had a chance to score on a five-on-three advantaged but failed to do so. That miss came back to bite the Sabres as Danault scored a shorthanded goal as Eichel took a shot in the offensive zone which was blocked and Danault eventually corralled the puck, streaked down toward the Sabres end, and beat Robin Lehenr (38 saves) on a wrap around.’

‘Jason Pominville scored twice in his first game back with Buffalo since being reacquired in a trade with Minnesota in June. Robin Lehner stopped 38 shots and the Sabres earned one point in Phil Housley’s debut as coach.’